Resident Assistant (Student Position)

Job Title: Resident Assistant

Reports To: Assistant Director of Resident Life

Location:  University of Maryland – The Courtyards

Compensation: See summary below

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Student 

Summary

As the architect of the community, the primary responsibility of the Resident Assistant (RA) at The Courtyards at UMD is to develop the community by bringing individuals into a community mindset. Called upon to respond to changing needs and situations, the RA position is one that requires flexibility, adaptability, enthusiasm, and commitment, as well as strong administrative and peer counseling skills.  The RA works to support the academic success and the personal growth of students in The Courtyards at UMD.

The RA is a part-time student position requiring a commitment of approximately twenty hours per week. The RA is a 24-hour live-in student staff member responsible for community development and programs, active team member, duty/policy enforcement, role model, administrative functions, crisis intervention, and group and individual assistance.  The RA reports to the Resident Director. 

The following are the specific qualifications and general descriptions of the major areas of responsibility.  Courtyards professional staff members may assign additional tasks as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Student Interaction and Community Development:  

• Spend adequate time in the building becoming acquainted and developing relationships with residents.
• Assist residents with developing community by initiating activities throughout each semester and encouraging residents to attend community-wide events.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement active and passive programs under the supervision of the Resident Director. 
• Show interest in residents’ personal activities.   Find ways to relate to residents based on their interests, establishing effective communication through listening, responsiveness, openness, availability, and approachability.
• Assess and interpret residents’ interests and needs periodically and respond with appropriate programs and interventions.
• Conduct yourself in an honest, conscientious, and courteous manner at all times, showing respect for persons of all backgrounds, races, genders, interests, and abilities.  Resident Assistants are further expected to confront persons who do not exhibit this respect for individuals.
• Serve as a role model by abiding by all Courtyards and University policies, including the Code of Student Conduct and Code of Academic Integrity. 
• Provide residents with information on the Courtyards and University services and refer residents to appropriate services.
• Assist in the development of unit governance by encouraging involvement in Resident Hall Association. 

 Administrative Responsibilities:  

• Assist in implementing daily building operations and services.
• Check your UMD email and GroupMe once daily and respond, when necessary, within 24 hours.
• Follow-up on maintenance concerns, investigate damages and write incident reports as necessary.
• Maintain confidentiality with regard to all student information and records.
• Complete required Grace Hill online learning modules as assigned. 
• Work cooperatively with all Courtyards Staff members.
• Maintain on-going communication with the Resident Director, Assistant Director of Resident Life, and the Courtyards Office regarding issues or concerns related to the residents or facilities.

Student Conduct and Crisis Management:  

• Ensure residents understand all Courtyard and University policies.
• Respond to violations of community standards and Courtyards and/or University policies or regulations. 
• Record all necessary information in incident reports and RA duty log and assist with follow-up action as requested by the Assistant Director for Resident Life.
• Respond to emergencies and crisis situations promptly as they occur, whether on or off duty.
• Inform residents of University and Courtyards policies and the associated rationale, especially related to safety and security.
• Assist roommates by mediating conflicts if they arise.
• Assume building duty coverage as scheduled by the Assistant Director of Resident Life.  

 Role Model and Active Team Member:  

• Strive to achieve a positive balance between academic, professional, and personal responsibilities.
• Display a positive attitude toward fulfillment of position expectations and responsibilities, including the professional staff’s program expectations and responsibilities (if applicable)
• Demonstrate respect for the Courtyards' staff, university officials, and peers.
• Display non-discriminatory behavior towards residents and staff members and be inclusive of all identities.
• Ensure sound judgment and good decision-making in all situations.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• Act in a professional manner at all times
• Participate in activities involving all RAs, including RA Selection, leasing events, and all training and development activities, including RA training
• Take initiative, ownership, and investment as a staff member in displaying a positive work ethic and encourage this attitude in others.
• Show flexibility and adaptability in the performance of your duties to respond to changing needs, situations, and personalities.

Time Commitments:

• Attend scheduled weekly Resident Life staff meetings held on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm.
• Attend one-on-one meetings with the supervisor.
• Assist with opening and closing of the facilities and provide building coverage during all academic breaks (including Holidays and Spring Break).
• Responsible for weeknight and weekend duty coverage, as well as Clubhouse Desk coverage.
• Attend and participate in all staff training sessions.   This includes, but is not limited to, Spring and Summer and in-services as requested by the Resident Director and Assistant Director for Resident Life.
• Be accessible and available to residents both on and off duty.   RAs are expected to respond to incidents or situations that they observe, or which are reported to them.   These “non-duty” RAs will respond to the scene or activities for which there is a reasonable expectation that harm to individuals and/or significant damage to or loss of property may occur, remain on the scene until “on duty” staff arrive, and provide a report to the duty staff member who responds. 
• Peak work periods require additional work hours, especially at opening and closings. RAs must be available the full day prior to and following openings and closings (including Break periods) to assist the department staff in completing administrative tasks.  RAs will be required to assist with special events, including but not limited to open houses, family weekends, leasing events, and other duties/events as assigned.
• Perform the weekly assigned tasks to assist the Courtyards team
• To provide accessibility and availability to residents, RAs must discuss and gain approval from the RD for absences away from campus greater than 24 hours.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Have high school diploma or GED.
• A semester and cumulative grade point average of at least 2.6.
• Full-time enrollment as a degree-seeking student at the University of Maryland. 
• Complete one semester of the RA Class/Seminar sponsored by UMD during the Spring 2025 semester. If hired after the class/seminar additional training session may be required. 
• Be available to serve on the staff for a calendar year May 2024-May 2025.  
• To ensure successful work performance and support RA availability, accessibility and visibility, commitments beyond the RA position (student teaching, internships, second jobs, student leadership positions, etc.), must have prior approval by the RD. RAs are limited to 10 hours per week of commitments beyond the RA position.
• RA must be in good financial, academic, and disciplinary standing with the University.  This includes standards set by the Code of Academic Integrity, the Code of Student Conduct, and the Courtyards at UMD lease.  The academic, financial, and disciplinary standing of all RAs will be checked at the end of each semester.  
• Available Wednesday’s at 7:00 pm for weekly staff meetings during the academic year and 5PM during the summer

Terms of Agreement:

• RAs are employed for a 12-month period, beginning May 2024 and ending May 2025. Specific dates for beginning and ending employment will be determined and communicated by the ADRL. 
• Live in assigned RA room during the contract period.
• Arrangements for extended leave greater than 24 hours away from the Courtyards must be made in advance with the Resident Director.

Compensation

A total yearly compensation package including housing concession and $15.00 per hour wage. Pay occurs on a bi-weekly schedule. 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is mid-to-high paced. The noise level is usually moderate. 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision. 

The University of Maryland has made the safety of our students, faculty and staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As a prospective and/or a new employee at UMD, you will be required to comply with the University’s vaccination protocol. Proof of full vaccination, including boosters when eligible, will be required before the start of employment in order to work at any University of Maryland location. Prospective or new employees may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement at return.umd.edu and must have an approved exemption prior to the start of their employment. Failure to provide proof of vaccination or to obtain approval for a medical or religious exemption will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

This is not employment contract. 

If you are unable to apply because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact COCM Recruitment from our website. We will make every effort to respond to your request for assistance as soon as possible. 

To provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Capstone On-Campus Management (COCM) will be based on qualifications and abilities. COCM does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.